Abstract:
This research presents the mechanical properties of reinforced bio-composites using coir and banana fibers with the aim aiming to identify viable ecological replacements to conventional glass fiber reinforced composites. The samples were prepared with natural fiber such as coir and banana. Samples were tested for hardness (ASTM E10), impact energy (ASTM D256), and wear resistance (ASTM G99) tests, while making comparative benchmarks with E- glass and S-glass polyester composites. The Brinell hardness numbers indicated that banana fiber composites were harder than coir fiber composites, outperforming both E-glass and S-glass composites. Both coir and banana fiber composites’ impact energy followed with 1.47 J, but lower than the synthetic composites. The wear resistance tests revealed that most coir fiber composites have the least wear percentage, which was at 0.22% , but still higher than the wear percentage in E-glass and S-glass composites. According to these findings, it will suggest that natural fiber-reinforced composites, particularly banana fiber-reinforced composites, possess a higher hardness than conventional glass fiber composites. But they have lower impact energy absorption and higher rates of wear. In other forms of optimization, like fiber treatment or hybridization, could improve such properties and render natural fiber composites. So, they will be more viable alternatives in engineering applications. Further investigations that have been conducted on banana and coconut fiber reinforcement in epoxy composites have revealed that fiber content shows a great influence on mechanical properties. With the optimal fiber weight percentage providing enhanced tensile and impact strengths. Thus, our findings further confirm the feasibility of natural fiber-reinforced composites in the development of green materials with appropriate mechanical properties.
